THE AZTECS OF MEXICO 25
Tenochtitlán to be offered up on the altars of
the gods. In addition, periodic tribute payments
of maize, cotton mantles, cacao beans, or other
products—depending on the geography and re-
sources of the region—were imposed on the van-
quished. Certain lands were also set aside to be
cultivated by them for the support of the Aztec
crown, priesthood, and state offi cials or as fi efs
given to warriors who had distinguished them-
selves in battle. A steward or tribute collector,
sometimes assisted by a resident garrison, was sta-
tioned in the town. As for the rest, the conquered
people usually continued to enjoy autonomy in
government, culture, and customs.
Because of its nonintegrated character, which
was refl ected in the relative autonomy enjoyed by
vanquished peoples and the light Aztec political
and military presence in conquered territories, the
Aztec Empire has traditionally been regarded as
an inferior or defi cient political organization com-
pared to the Inca Empire, with its centralized ad-
ministration, standing armies, massive transfers of
Town
Triple Alliance capital
Volcano
Mountain
Swampland
Causeway
PACIFIC OCEAN
Gulf of Mexico
Palenque Tikal
Chichén
VALLEY Itzá
OF MEXICOTeotihuacán
Xaltocán
Teotihuacán
Huexotla
Coatlichan
Tenayucan Izhuatepec
Tepetzinco
Iztacalco
Cuautitlán
Chalco
Cuitlahuac
Coyoacan
Huitzilopocho
Tlalpan
Totan
Tepeyacac
Mexic
altzingo
Azcapotzalco
Xochimilco
Itztapalapan
Colhuácan
Tlatelolco
Zumpango
Mizquic
Maya site
Area of main map
Lake
Texcoco
Lake
Chalco
Lake
Xochimilco
Lake
Xaltocán
Lake
Zumpango
Iztaccihuatl
Popocatepetl
Tlaloc
Texcoco
Tlacopan
Tenochtitlán
015Mi.
015Km. 10
10
5
5
Valley of Mexico